Treating molten metal.



J. S. SEAMAN. TREATING MOLTEN METAL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY25, 1904.

2 SHEETS-$111131 l.

FIELI- WITNESSES:

No. 811,522. PATENTED JAN. 80, 1906. J. S. SEAMAN. TREATING MOLTEN METAL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25. 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WIITNESFIE INVENTOR 2 MW NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JOSEPH S. SEAMAN, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

TREATING MOLTEN METAL.

Patented Jan. 30, 1906.

Original application filed May 23, 1904, Serial lilo. 209,311. Divided and this application filed July 25,1904. Serial No. 217,995.

To all whom it ntay concern.-

Be it known that I, Josnrn S. SEAMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of a Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Treating Molten Metal, of which improvement the following is a specification.

The invention described herein relates to certain improvements in casting metal, and has for its object the separation of slag and other impurities from the good. metal as it passes from the ladle or other source of supply to the mold, and also during such passage to afford opportunity for the escape of gases and for a purifying treatment of the molten metal. The invention is hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved apparatus for purifying metal, and Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

In the practice of my invention I provide suitable means whereby the molten metal as it comes from the cupola or other source of supply is subjected prior to its entry into the mold. to a centrifugal action, whereby the im purities, such as slag, &c., may be separated from the good metal and the latter broken up for a short time into small masses or bodies, so as to provide for the escape of gases.

While many forms or constructions of apparatus may be employed in the practice of my invention, I have found that the con.- struction shown in the accompanying drawings is a convenient one for the apparatus. This apparatus consists, primarily, of a basin 1, mounted upon a vertical shaft 2, which can be rotated at the desired speed by any suitable form or construction of motor through the medium of a gearing. This basin is provid ed with peripheral ports or passages 3 ,preferably arranged adjacent to the bottom of the vessel for the escape of good molten metal which is forced out through the openings by the centrifugal action imparted to the metal by the rotation of the basin. The basin, or at least that portion having the perforated periphery, is inclosed within a retaining Vessel, consisting of a shell 5 surrounding the basin at a suitable distance from its periphery and lined with fire-clay or other refractory material. This ring 5 is supported upon the outer rim of an annular trough 6, the inner rim 7 of such trough being Within the plane of the pe riphery of the basin. This trough is provided with a spout 8, and the trough is so supported that the metal falling thereinto will flow toward andv through the spout. In using this apparatus sufficient metal will be poured thereinto so as to maintain a depth of metal therein at least sufficient to cover the radial openings 3. As the good metal is maintained at a height above'the level of the ports, slag and other impurities will accumulate sufficiently to flow over the top of the basin. I therefore provide a catch-basin 9, having an open top and surrounding the centrifugal basin. The bottom of the catch-basin extends under the rim 10, which is preferably formed around the upper edge of the centrifugal basin. This catch-basin will prevent the dangerous scattering or spreading of any metal which may overflow from the centrifugal basin and is provided with openings 11, through which metal caught therein may flow out. While not necessary, it is preferred to line this catch-basin with clay or other refractory materials.

While the centrifugal basin may be constructed in any suitable manner, the construction shown and described in application. Serial No. 209,311, filed by me May 23, 1904, of which this application is a division, is preferably employed.

In using this apparatus the molten metal is teemed into the centrifugal basin in such quantities as to maintain a depth of metal therein sufficient to cover the radial openings. By the rotation of this basin the metal is forced outwardly through the radial openings in small streams,which, striking against the inner Wall of the ring 5, are further broken up, thus permitting a perfectly free escape for any gases contained in the metal. After striking against the ring 5 the metal will drop down and collect in a mass in the trough and flow thence through the spout into a mold beneath the same or a ladle, whereby the pnrified metal may be carried into the mold. As the good metal is heavier than the slag or other impurities, it Will be mostly subjected to centrifugal action and will therefore be separated from such impurities by the flowing of the good metal through theradial openings.

As it may at times be desirable to purify the molten metal, as by subjecting it when broken up to the action of the air, nozzles 15, connected to a source of air or gas under pressure, are inserted. through the walls of the retaining vessel in such position that the airjets can be forced through the metal while broken up.

I claim herein as my invention- 1. As an improvement in the art of treating molten metal the method herein described, which consists in dividing the metal into small streams by causing the metal to pass through small orifices by centrifugal action and maintaining in the separator a sufficient body of metal to-cover the dischargeorifices whereby the good metal is caused to be separated in passing through the orifices from the slag and other impurities and an escapeof the gas is permitted, substantially as set forth.

2. As an improvement in the art of treat ing metal, the method herein described which consists in dividing the metal into small streams by forcing the metal by centrifugal action through small orifices, maintaining in the separator a sufficient body of metal to cover the discharge-orifices and while the metal is in a divided condition, subjecting it to the action of air under pressure, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 7 I

JOSEPH S. SEAMAN. Witnesses: v

DARWIN S. WoLooTT, F. E. GAITHER. 

